Truck caught fire after the crash
(File Photo)
On July 29, 2021, at approximately 6:43 AM, the Jennings County Sheriff's Office responded to a vehicle accident on State Road 3 South near County Road 25 East.
The initial investigation, by Deputy Kyle Lee, indicated that a 1994 Ford Ranger driven by Joseph Simmonds (47 of Hanover) was traveling southbound and for an unknown reason the Ford Ranger went left of center striking a 2017 Buick Enclave driven by Linda Howell (61 of Lexington) in a head-on collision. The Ford Ranger then caught fire as a result of the crash. A witness to the accident was able to pull Howell out of her vehicle.
Joseph Simmonds and his passenger Elizabeth Beeman (47of North Vernon) sustained fatal injuries in the collision. Both Joseph and Elizabeth were pronounced deceased at the scene by the Jennings County Coroner’s Office. Linda Howell sustained serious injuries during this collision and was transported by air ambulance to an area hospital where she is currently being treated.
The Jennings County Sheriff's Office was assisted by Indiana State Police-Versailles Post Crash Reconstruction Team, Jennings County EMS, Vernon Township Volunteer Fire Department, North Vernon Fire Department, Jennings County Emergency Dispatch, North Vernon Police Department and the Jennings County Coroner's Office.
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